Page 15

“Mummy, I made mud pies with Angus. He’s my new friend.” Maribel held up her hands. Her tiny fingers were covered in brown mud. “Can I have a wipe?” Maribel asked, giving her mother a cheesy grin. Hazel could see her front tooth was missing.

“Of course.” Serena reached down and grabbed a baby wipe from her bag. She glanced at the clock on the wall. “We’d better get going. Grandma will be missing you, Mari.”

Maribel nodded. “Grandpa said he would teach me cards when we get home, and Grandma said I could help her make some scones.”

“Well then, we’d better hop to it!” Serena gathered her bag from the floor while Hazel stood and stretched her legs. The group headed out of the café together.

At the entrance, Serena pulled Hazel into a hug.

“I’m so happy you’re back,” Serena whispered to her friend.

“Me too. It was lovely to see you, Serena.” Hazel pulled back from the hug and faced her friend’s daughter. “It was nice to meet you, Maribel.”

Maribel gave Hazel a gap-toothed Cheshire cat smile.

“Text me, yeah?” Serena called as Maribel led her mother to their car.

“Of course!” Hazel replied with a wave. She’d been so nervous to see her oldest friend, but she hadn’t had to worry at all. Everything had just slipped back into place.

Sam’s truck roared up the driveway just as Hazel was pulling on her sandals. Bailey barked as the door of the truck slammed shut. Nerves fluttered in the pit of her stomach. Checking her reflection in the mirror for the last time, she pressed a hand to her belly, trying to calm herself. She’d picked a long summery blue dress with a little cream cardigan to stave off the last of the winter chill. Her hair cascaded down her back, falling in soft waves. She’d applied a little makeup, just enough to give her face a glow. She didn’t want to overdo it with a full glam look. It would work in the city, but she wasn’t sure about Bells Bay.

Satisfied, she grabbed her tan bucket bag and climbed down the stairs.

Molly was by the front door, holding Bailey in her arms. He was squirming and trying to get free, desperate to see Sam, who was waiting on the verandah.

“Have a good time!” Molly called in a roguish voice, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

“I’m sure I will,” Hazel replied as she opened the door.

And there he was, waiting for her. In a pale blue linen shirt, he was leaning against the verandah post, his hair slightly messy. He gave her one of those grins that came so easily to him. He held a bunch of flowers.

Hazel pushed the strands of hair that had fallen over her brow as she accepted the bouquet of pink flowers.

“Oh Sam, these are beautiful.” Hazel couldn’t remember the last time any guy had given her flowers, especially on a first date. “I’ll just put them in some water.” She turned on her heel and quickly headed inside.

“Need a vase?” Molly called from the kitchen.

How did she know? Hazel thought, wondering if her mother had something to do with it, or if she just had magical powers. As she walked into the kitchen, Molly glanced over at her, eyes locking on the flowers.

“Pink tulips,” Molly said simply.

“Did you have something to do with this?” Hazel quipped.

“Nothing at all! I just know Sam well. He’s a very thoughtful person. It makes sense to me that he brought you flowers for your first date, that’s all.”

Hazel narrowed her eyes at her mother, not quite believing her.

Molly put her hands up in front of her. “Hazel, I swear. I had nothing to do with this. I’m not going to get involved.”

“Good. The last thing I need is you meddling in whatever this is.”

“The words deep affection and new beginnings spring to mind for pink tulips. And Sam is thoughtful and thorough. So, if you asked me, which I know you are not.” Molly paused as she shot Hazel a knowing look. She filled the vase she had selected with water from the tap. “I would say that Sam knows exactly what they mean.”

Hazel rolled her eyes. “I didn’t ask you,” she said curtly, annoyed at her mother’s commentary. She tried to ignore the pleasant, warm feeling that was bubbling inside her as she put the flowers into the vase. Does he really know what they mean?

Turning back to her mother, she gave her a warning look. “Stay out of it. Please.” Her tone was harsher than she intended. Sighing, she pulled her mum into a hug. “I know you care, and it’s so nice that you do.”

“Of course. Now off you go and have a fabulous time.”